Yet another cyclone set to hit Andhra, experts look for explanation

Hyderabad, Nov 25: Andhra Pradesh is set to face the wrath of the third cyclone in one-and-half months time with Cyclone Lehar gaining force to hit the coastal state by November 28. The name Lehar has been given by India after Philin (Thailand) and Helen (Bangladesh).

Lehar lay centred on Sunday morning, about 230 kilometres east-southeast of Port Blair over the Andaman Sea was expected top cross the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Sunday night. It is then expected to emerge in the South Eastern Bay of Bengal and gather strength as a severe cyclonic storm. It is predicted to move west-northwestwards and cross the coast between Machillipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh around noon on November 28.

Is the warming of the sea surface reason behind the cyclones, wonder experts

State Disaster Management Commissioner C Parthasarathi said farmers and fishermen should be prepared for the severe storm. The state witnessed massive damages to its agricultural fields and yields in the coastal districts caused by the two previous cyclones. Preliminary estimates suggested that the damage caused by Cyclone Helen was to the tune of nearly Rs 1629 crore.

Weather experts worried

Weather experts felt worried over the frequent occurrence of the cyclones in Andhra Pradesh, saying it is unprecedented in the last three decades. According to the weather experts, the last time three severe cyclones took place in two consecutive months was in 1984.

The experts are, however, divided over the reason for these frequent cyclonic storms. According to one section, the warming of the sea surface is causing these storms while another to another group, it is too early to arrive at such conclusion.

But why Andhra Pradesh is the victim everytime?

Experts explained that dry and cold wind begins to blow across north-western India in this time and it pulls the cyclonic storm created in the southern Bay of Bengal and when this storm begins to head towards the north-west, coastal Andhra Pradesh, which falls on its way, bears the maximum brunt.